Australian Medical Association - Tasmania

12/03/2026

12/03/2026

Australia’s public hospitals are the backbone of our health system. They are where Australians turn in moments of crisis and vulnerability. But year after year, the Australian Medical Association (AMA) Public Hospital Report Card shows a system under.

Tasmania’s public hospitals are under sustained, backbreaking pressure and the latest results confirm what doctors and patients experience every day.

Performance has declined across every key measure, with emergency departments again the worst‑performing nationally and surgery waits continuing to grow. This is not a short‑term dip. It reflects a system operating beyond capacity, without the workforce, infrastructure or long‑term planning needed to meet demand.

Funding increases are welcome, but money alone will not fix this. Without tackling access block, workforce shortages and delayed discharges, patient flow will not improve. Real reform, deliberate long‑term planning and clinically led solutions are essential.

The system cannot keep running on goodwill alone.

👉 Read the full report and what must change:

https://www.ama.com.au/sites/default/files/2026-03/AMA_Public_Hospital_Report_Card_2026_0.pdf

07/03/2026

🗣 Have your say on AMA Tasmania’s future priorities. We’re refreshing the AMA Tasmania Strategic Plan 2026–2029, and we want to hear from you.

✅ A short member survey is now live
✅ It takes around 5 minutes
✅ Your responses will directly guide our advocacy and member support
📧 Check your inbox for the survey link and share your top priorities.

⏰ Please respond by midnight Tuesday 10 March.

Your voice matters — thank you for helping shape our work for members.

04/03/2026

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03/03/2026

Drs4Drs Tasmania is seeking expressions of interest for the role of Medical Director, a unique leadership opportunity within a trusted, clinician‑led service supporting the health and wellbeing of doctors and medical students across Tasmania. Drs4Drs Tasmania has become a vital part of the state’s medical landscape, providing confidential, high‑quality support. The strength, credibility and continuity of the service reflect the commitment, leadership and hard work of those who have guided and delivered it to date.

Medical Director Opportunity for Drs4Drs Tasmania!

Are you passionate about shaping the future of doctors’ health in Tasmania?

Drs4Drs Tasmania invites expressions of interest from experienced medical leaders to join our organisation in the role of Medical Director.

We are seeking a Medical Director who is committed to advancing doctors’ wellbeing, brings strong clinical credibility, and is interested in shaping the future direction of Drs4Drs Tasmania.

Established in 2015, Drs4Drs is an independent, national, not-for-profit charity, dedicated to supporting the health and wellbeing of doctors and medical students across Tasmania and the country.

Closing date is Friday the 13th March.

Read the Expression of Interest: https://www.drs4drs.com.au/news-and-events/expressions-interest-medical-director-drs4drs-tasmania

03/03/2026

The AMA Tasmania has accepted this one year rollover agreement as a pragmatic step to help stabilise Tasmania’s medical workforce, particularly as we compete nationally to attract and retain junior doctors.

With a new attraction and retention allowance now in place at the NWRH and LGH, the Government must develop a clear plan to support medical students and junior doctors across all Tasmanian hospitals.

This 12 month agreement, expiring in August, gives the Government space to focus on urgently needed negotiations for other hospital staff including allied health, nurses, and pharmacists whose shortages continue to impact public hospital capacity.

The state government has reached a one-year wage agreement with the Australian Medical Association.

26/02/2026

TO BE FRANK: with Dr Michael Lumsden-Steel, President AMA Tasmania

Tasmania’s emergency departments are under sustained pressure. Ambulance ramping, bed block and delays aren’t isolated incidents, they are symptoms of a system stretched beyond capacity.

The push to reduce Transfer of Care handover times right now risks making a difficult situation worse. When hospitals are full, moving the clock doesn’t create beds. It simply shifts pressure elsewhere in the system.

Patients wait longer. Staff face greater strain. Elective surgery is impacted. Risk increases.

We need practical solutions that address flow, workforce and bed capacity not policy changes that deepen the log jam.

AMA Tasmania will continue advocating for safe, evidence-based reform that protects patients and supports clinicians.

26/02/2026

The AMA is hearing directly from doctors that Emergency Departments across our state are buckling under demand, with pressures particularly acute at the Royal Hobart Hospital, where a critical capacity alert has been in place and extreme bed block has persisted for days.

The AMA is hearing directly from doctors that Emergency Departments across our state are buckling under demand, with pressures particularly acute at the Royal Hobart Hospital, where a critical capacity alert has been in place and extreme bed block has persisted for days.Demand continues to exceed ca...

20/02/2026

AMA Tasmania has raised serious concerns regarding a pilot to allow paramedics to prescribe. Branch President Dr Michael Lumsden-Steel said the proposal risks fragmenting care and overlooks the critical role of general practice.

Prescribing comes from making a diagnosis, documenting, treating and following up. That level of care sits within general practice, where doctors train for many years to manage complexity and provide continuity.

Paramedics are highly skilled and respected, but expanding prescribing risks replacing quality and safety with convenience rather than addressing the real issues.

What we need, particularly in regional areas, is stronger networks where GPs support community care, not further fragmentation of the system.

The AMA Tasmania President, Dr Michael Lumsden-Steel, said the Liberal Government’s commitment to a pilot allowing prescribing of medications by paramedics must not proceed without clear evidence and meaningful consultation with the medical profession.This proposal has emerged as part of a politic...

20/02/2026

A very warm welcome to all the first year medical students we have had the pleasure of meeting this week. Starting medicine is a huge milestone and it has been a privilege to meet so many thoughtful and motivated future doctors at the beginning of their journey. We wish you every success as you settle into study, new routines and new friendships.

Remember this is a marathon, not a sprint. The health system will be ready for you when the time comes, so for now focus on learning, building strong foundations and finding balance. Look after yourselves and enjoy the friendships and experiences that will shape your years ahead.

Student membership with the AMA is free and a great way to stay connected with your profession from the very beginning. Join HERE - https://bit.ly/StudentAMA

We also encourage you to join Tasmanian University Medical Students' Society (TUMSS) here in Tasmania. The TUMSS President holds a seat on AMA Tasmania State Council, ensuring student voices are represented and helping keep us informed about the issues that matter most to you.

Please also remember Drs4Drs Tasmania is available as a confidential health and mental health service for medical students and doctors, because your wellbeing matters.

Welcome to the profession. We are so glad you are here and look forward to supporting you along the way.